Windshield guard



Jan. 26, 1965 J. A. HuFENus ETAL 3,167,348

WINDSHIELD GUARD Filed Aug. l. 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. L

Fig. 15

3 rfaf/l/EXI Jan. 26, 1965 J. A. HuFENus ETAL 3,167,348

WINDSHIELD GUARD 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug.

INVENTORS ,JE/IN A. #aff/W5 /ML A Huff/vds Jan. 26, 1965 J. A. HUFENUs ETAL 3,167,348

WINDSHIELD GUARD Filed Aug. l, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 5

Jan. 26, 1965 J. A. HuFl-:Nus ETAL 3,167,348

WINDSHIELD GUARD 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. l. 1961 O 1. .mJ F

Jan. 26, 1965 J. A. HUFENUs l-:TAL 3,157,348

WINDSHIELD GUARD Filed Aug. l, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 NVENTORS JEH/v ,4. Huff/WAS A Trae/w34 Jan. 26, 1965 J. A. HUFENUS ETAL 3,167,348

wINnsHIELD GUARD Filed Aug. l. 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ,dan F. #aff/vas 3,167,348 wnsnsnrnan @Unno Jean A; Huienus, 6 Rue, Hershel, Paris, `France, and Paul F. Htnenns,v 90' Rue Montmorency, Sete, Herault,

France liledAug. l, ll, Ser. No. 129,209

l Claims priority, application France, Aug. 3, 1%0,

ssaazs, raam misses is mams. (ci. zassa The invention concerns a method and a. device for improving visibility Vthrough the' windows of vehicles; and in particular to an improvedwindshield guard.

l The invention is applicable to various Vehicles, such as'automobiles, airplanes, ships, locomotives, etc. It provides for continuous visibility ofa windshield or other window whensubjected.topossible obscuring as by rain, snow, dust, insects, fog,.moisture, frostor other deposits.

Known means for providing clear vision for the operi atei-of a vehicle are generally constituted by mobile `wipers,A which scrape. against the outer surface of the ,windshield with an'alternating movement. This moverment is',however generallybothersome to the operator and tends to scratch orL otherwise damage the glass of the windshield.` Also,- such wipers are nottoo elective in preventing the. accumulation of snow, ice or insects on the glass. Other known means,vsuch as transparent rotaftive `discs mounted in front of the windshield, have also y.been suggested. Y Thesey arrangements are not satisfactory because,` of ythe variation of centrifugal force from the vcenter tothe periphery of the discs. Endless transparent bandshave also beenproposed to solve the problem. f Their principall drawbacks are:

(vl) Two" layers; that is, a double thickness ofl the band,travel simultaneously before the eyes of the operatorgi'and Y (2) The bandis deformedby the action of the dynamic pressure of atmospheric air as the vehicle moves.

The general object of the present invention'is topro rvide .a windshieldk guard. avoidingl the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. V

y011e yobject of theinvention is toprovide a method perf mitting clarity of vision through a windshield or window by continuously moving a'single transparent llexible band f in iront of the glass of the windshield or window, with the band beingl cleaned as it passes through a'region physically removed from the area ovision.

l Another very' rir'nportant object of the invention is tov .avoid v"deformation, ofthe. transparent band, resulting from the dynamic pressure of atmospheric-air, by .apply-` ing a counter-pressure to ythe band, as by meansy of .a uid force. v

A stillturther object of the invention is the provision of a device for carrying out the above-mentioned method, including meansr'feor applying a counter-pressure to the band.

` .Agaim an object of the invention is to provide means v for rendering theV abovedevice retroactive, thereby perlmitting it at willto be brought onto or away from the y* windshield.

over an, axis and, is passed, into contact with cleaning 'means, located beyond the area of vision; it is again obliquelyfolded over another axis, again passed before atleast a part of the glass, and so on to repeat its path.

"UnitedStates Patent oF A. very important aspect of the invention consists in passing the band in tightrelationship with respectrto the window oi the vehicle, and to introduce a fluid between the window and the band, so as to counterbalance the dynamic pressure of atmospheric air von the band resulting from the movement of Athe vehicle.

The device accordi-ngto they invention comprises: a frame to be placed against the outer face of a windshield; an endless, transparent, exible band supported by said frame; yat least two rotatable axes, situated respectively at the opposite ends of the frame, and placed obliquely with respect to a straight line which determines the distance between the ends'of the frame, the band passing over the axes in Contact relation therewith; means for cleaning the band and means for imparting a continuous movement to the band, situated beyond the area .of vision of the windshield. e K

The band according to the invention consists'of` an apron-like member which travels through the area kof vision of; theA windshield and is preferably elastic, at least in one direction. The band may beconstituted of a material such as for example polyethylene, plasticized vinyl chloride, polyamide, polyvinyly butyral, polyacryl esters, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene l copolymers, polytetralluoroethylene etc. v

In the various embodiments shown for carrying out the invention, the band is shown olf-differentl shapes, as for example, circular, elliptical,l annular or truncated.

According to one particular embodiment. for carrying out the invention, the endless band is flat orannnlarand has in one part of ita 180 twist. Such an endless -band can beformed from a straight bandby joining the ends thereof so thatvone face of the band at one end is supere posed on the same face of the other end.` The twisted band yhas the advantage thatwhenused according to .the invention, both its faceswillsuccessively pass in front of the windshield. That is, after airst completerevolu-i tion of the band, the face which previously faced the windshield automatically becomes the external face. The faces then reverse during the next revolution, and so on.

In the accompanying drawings certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of non-limitative examples.

FGURE l is a perspective view of a portion of the front of an automobile, with the device of the .invention arranged. on the-windshield FIGURE v2 is a fragmentary perspectiveiview in transversal section of a4 framewhich supports and guides the transparent band in the device of the invention.

- FIGURE 3: is a fragmentary perspective view in sec-v tion showing the lower part of the framefof FIG. 2, as well4 as the meansfor moving'the band. l

FIGURE 4'is a diagrammatic plan View showing means forequalizing pressure on both sidesof the. bandsA FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic viewl otmeans for retracting the device of the invention. vf

FIGURE .6. is` a side view corresponding to that of FGURE 5. v 4 FIGURE 7 is a perspective view vot a portion of the front of an automobile and of a variant of the device assists Patented Jan, 26,1965

Y 'FIG; l6 shows arr-ass'emblyaccordingjto-JFIGS.l lylfandf f s el 'f,f-thicker1thanjtheg-rernainder.of"the'band..j .The peij Soi the application, but .isfnioreidetailedfas tofthe re-f traction mechanism generally shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. YIt Y showsl the windshield guard iniit's'operating''position. i. "corresponding grooves in the sectionsZ--ZQ'r While they vehicle. Y

Y Thesey rollersr guideV the' rtransparent exible bahd 3.1'-

' offknown construction.`

ymembers 2 gandfZ uas Awillbebetter"explainedin.coni

' Vfrbrrrroller-28";after having' been cleanedJat'ZQ-and dried FIG.` 17 is a section viewof'the system of FIG. 16, cutlv are ykepttherein by the. backings 7-7.

by a vertical'axial plane'passingllongitudinally-throughthe The sections .2 and 2f may. be of metal orany other y A Y f-suiciently'rigidmaterial, Elastic jointsSand Sare pref- FIG. 18' yshows'fexactlythe same system as FIG.Y 16 i erably 'inserted'v between the rear face of. sections 2-2 does, but with the windshield guard retracted. Y and the surfacejf'of glass 1. These joints are advanta- FIG.- 19 a sectionalr view corresponding to the rel 10 geously -formed of rubber or rubber-1ik'e .imateria1, having tracted position of FIG;` 18. a shape conforming to that of the glass, so that they per- FIGURE 1 shows a device according'to the invention, fectly adhere to the latter. f'

forations 9, s een on P IGSJJI and. 3,' are provided inthe. strips 4 Vand 4^.. 'The stripsv are 'slidingly. arranged within .l

arranged on the windshield 1 of an automobile, thejfront In a particularly useful variant of; theinventiom'a'pipe `portion offwhich 30 is shown by roof 27 and hood 426; 13 passesthroughthe frame andpenetrates intothe inner VOn th glass of windshield l-isgp'laced afra'me which 15 space between;'glassv 1Y and bandj3.. The pipe isiprovide'd. comprises-'twol arcuate "sections 2 and 2', Between -the' for introducing a pressuriz'ed'uid intoV said space,v such lower Aends `'of these sections y are mounted respectively as air'for example, in order toequalize pressure on both rollefrsf28-and 28. linked with a horizontal support which, sides o f thefband. Q Accordingto.the embodiment shown for thefsake ofY clarity of theY drawing, is not represented, on FIGIZ, theluid is distributed by means of two tubular but isobvious to` those skilled in the a`rt The' support v 20 branches'lla` and 13b of thepipe 13 havingadequately Y alsohold's rollers 28a, 28b', 28c, and'28'a, ZSb an d- 2 8c. directedgfnozzles14througlrwhichthe'fluidpasses into VRoller 28av lissituated labove 28h', and -28 a `above 2f8' b.r.` the 'spac'ebetweeiijlfand. i 'f' A cleaning means 29 1is'fastned to theforwardregion .comprisingsections-22f, aswell asafr'a'cton of band `3 of thehorizontalfsppo tionary wiperfor cleaningithe'ba'nd 3.1, The ,wiper typicall by numerals 10 to112.' The lowerpe'nds'ot sections] and Cleaning means 2.9 Yis; Aa sta-r '25 v"togetherwith the means for movingthe'band designated ly" includes a`v waterldistributorrconnected'Ltojqa feeding 2f are seen on thisv figure, in'conjunctionwith transverse can (not'shown) situatedjbeneath the cdwlofthevehicle. 'fmemberg 6, preferablyof' rubber, 4which constitutes a Beside thewiper'29 isadrier'which maycompriseone. v `hottorn 'of'thetrame; This vbottoni isiA situated below'the ormore` rollers? having jackets-of felt or other' absorbent '.30 loweig 'end' of the windshield 1a'nd ensuresftight sealing -`material, rand whichpreferablydncludesfahotair bloweg -gjfftliejfspace:between b and Aand glassfl. lMeans for hosefskilled in 'the' artgl, f

ventional and Awellfknown of 1 FIGURE-45mm the; above id'antananaarrnge-- withfqually spaced perforations 9"adapted'tof mesh with mentQ thefviewbeing represented in v`af.pl an fparallel'to` the pins vof a chain or'wheel of .a'moving means'- (such that oftheband 3.2,

aswheel10of1FIG. 3); Perforations areshown'only f AtubefflS is shown' passesthrough'-section 2" along a portion, of the banda with itY beingY understoody 'andcornmunicates Wththespceb'et'ween I and 3. I This ofv theband. i i ingpre'ssu'r'ejoniboth sides' of.the band. When the equaliz- The 'band 3,'. used inthe devicept `FIG. l, 'isof aV flat j ing -iseectedby establishing =a'static pressure of uid oblique withrespecttofthat of theigl'as'sy 1, and situate'dba lkind, which open'sto the exterior atniosvphereas Ythe Vpres-v lowvthe lower endof the Windshield, within hood 26. sure'vvi'thin'said space-reachesa certain'predetermined PPosit'e :end of Ysiivhicli' secured .a wheel? '10b having pinsj. adapted tofmeshwith .ther perforations 9-{in tinuously Aprogresses to.y the right(as seen by;` the driver), 19a-1021v v cleaned it again j s presented to r01 1 e -28, g t he 'frame .i by other known means,.for example with pairs'of rotative 2-2 on windshieldl and soon.

Y FIGURE 2 gives a.fragmentary view, .'inftransversal: The motorjjlLwhichturns 4the"'wliaeell10b', may be a tion of the arcuate frame Om-prsng t 1n= ,nmnbersV 2 and l .i: 1 The various .parts illustratedon FIG. 3 are generallyv 2 of P IG. 1. The main partsof the fratrie are the arcuate j i. Si'flladlillithill lilieihood, fffhe'vehi1e,i'blit 'they maybe sections 2-2 constituting theouterl casing"thereof,"with Y fastenedgWh-U afspeial. 935mg# AS," OYeXIDPe, Whe

in which are provided corner-members# and T22-TMS@ 70 'used man airplane, STShOWIi'n FIG. `1 0,. a specialcasing yontinuousmovement tofthe rollersbetween which are Yclutched the edges ro'f'the band.

suring tightness between the band andithepframe." Shaped toconfornrito the .,planiebfglass'l, asshown inv l The edges 'ofband 3V are strengthened'with st ripsfland i HG. Advantageou'sly,' heatingsleeves 1646' surround 4 which maybe formed by thematerialfot theband itf Y 75 a'par'tfofipipe 1 3; suchrthat, the uidy blown throughy the.

ademas pipe suppresses moisture from the band 3 and the glass 1 while serving to establish the required pressure within the space between the glass and the band.

In the lower region of FIG. 4, there `are parts which are generally arranged beneath the cowl of the vehicle. lNo. 18 designa-tes a compressor mounted on a conventional support (notshowr'i). The output side of the compressor communicates with the pipe 13 through a flexible conduit 17. The length of the conduit 17 is suiiicient to permit retraction of the pipes 13-13a-13b from the windshield 1 down into the hood 26, rwhen it is desired to retract the device of the invention. This will be subsequently explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIGURES 5, 6 and 16-19.

Through inlet 159 atmospheric air or the exhaust gas of the vehicle motor arrive into the compressor 18. The compressed fluid flows through conduit 17 into pipe 13, while a portion of it is permitted to How to the atmosphere by a branch 1117 which communicates with 17 through a valve 165.

The valve 105 is automatically actuated by a differential pressure controller 20, the principle of which is shown on FIG. 15. The controller 20 comprises a casing the interior of which is connected with the tubes 15 and 15a. The other ends of tubes 15, 15a extend into the space between band 3 and windshield 1. The casing is shut with a membrane 104 externally protected by a screen 106. Between the membrane 104 and the bottom of the casing there is inserted a compression spring 103, at the upper end of which is secured a rod passing in tight engagement through the bottom of the casing. The lower end of the rod constitutes the actuator of the valve 105.

In the device according to the invention the differential pressure controller is so placed within the vehicle that the surface of membrane 1134 faces the impact of the windof atmospheric air as the vehicle is in forward movement. That is, the surface of membrane 104 is approximately parallel to the windshield. As the velocity of the vehicle increases, the dynamic pressure of air upon the membrane 1114 increases, and the spring is compressed. Thus, the actuator end of the rod enters deeper into its seat-box within the valve S. Thus, communication y between` 17 and 107 is reduced or even completely cut off,

and as a result more orall of the fluid supplied by the compressor 1d ows into pipe 13 and increases the pressure within the space between band 3 and the windshieldil. This pressure counterbalances the impact of wind upon band 3.

Conversely, when the velocity of the vehicle decreases, the spring 103 moves the rod upward, resulting in a larger opening of the valve 105. Hence, a greater portion of the fluid blown by the compressor 18 will now escape through 107 to the atmosphere and less fluid flows into pipes 13-13a-13b. Thus, the counterpressure between 1 and 3 is reduced corresponding to the lowerpressure exerted by the decreased wind forces.

'15-1Sa-15b. There is also-a hand controlled valve 21 for adjusting the pressure difference between the inner pipes 15, a-15b and the atmosphere.

The compressor 1S may have its own motor or be y y appropriately coupled to the shaft of the vehicle.

- The controller 2li' (or any equivalent regulator) may directly act upon the driving shaft of the compressor instead of valve 105. If so the branching 1117 may be omitted.

ln a general manner, the counter-pressure within the space between band 3 and windshield 1 may vary-according to the velocity of the vehicle-between about 1 tol 100 p.s.i. That involves, for an average size automobile, a flow of fluid, through the outlet 111, of about a few millilitres to a few litres per second. When heating of the band 3 is not required, the fiow of fluid may be considerably reduced, so that practically a static pressure is kept between the band 3 and the windshield 1.

HG. 5 is a diagrammatic front view of a system for rendering retractable the device of the invention, while FiG. 6 is a side view of this system. One end of each of rods 25 and 25 is secured to one side of the lower part of the frame formed by the sections 2-2. The lower end of each rod 25-25 contains a piston which slides within a corresponding cylinder 22 and 22.

The cylinders 22-22' are joined at their -lower ends, to axes 23-23 rigid with the body of the vehicle. The upper parts of the cylinders are resiliently connected to the body of the vehicle, by intermediate springs 24-24. Normally the springs provide forces in such a direction as to keep the frame 2-2 adequately pressed against the windshield 1. i

The cylinders 22 and 22 have outlet orifices 22a and 22h at their upper end, while their bottom region is in communication with a common conduit 126. The cylinders act as hydraulic or pneumatic jacks. The iiuid is provided by a compressor or a reservoir of compressed air (not shown); and enters through pipe 127 connected to vconduit by a three-way cock 123 which has an overflow orifice 128g.

On FGS. 5 and 6 the frame which supports the band 3 is in the working (non-retractable) position upon the windshield 1. This position is maintained by the compressed air by which comes from 127, and acts upon the lower face of the pistons, rigid `withthe lower ends. of rods-25 and 25. In this condition the valve orthree-way cock 123 is open, so that the compressor source is in communication with the inner of cylinders 22-22' through 126 and 27.

When it is desired to retract the frame, lit is merely necessary to turn the cock 128 by 90, so that the interior of cylinders 22-23 communicates with `atmospheric-air through the overow orifice 128:1, while the passage from 127 to 126 is shut. Then the air entrapped within the cylinders escapes through 12811 and the pistons of rods 25-25 slide down to the bottom of cylinders 22-22, bringing the frame down from the windshield.

By again actuating the cock 128 for re-establishing communication between 126 and 127, lthe frame is again put i-n its working position on the windshield 1.

1n general, the length of retraction of the frame is approximately equal to the height of the frame.

It will be seen, when comparing FIG. 16l with FlG. 18, and 17 with 19, that the retraction of the windshield guard involves the lowering of rollers 28 and 28 -respectively supported by iianges 23d and 23d and rigid with the frame 2 and with the retraction means 25-22 and 25222. All the remaining parts of the structure, that is rollers 28a-28a, 28b-28b, motors 111-11 with gears 11i-1h', 1tct-1tla, cleaner 29 and drierl 2t), are not moved from their iir'ed position.

As the cylinders 22422 and rods 12S-25 are operated by the hydraulic means of FlGS. 5 and6, rods 25-and 25 go down respectively into the cylinders 22 and 22', while their upper ends draw down the part of the structure which comprises rollers 28-23, frame 2, sleeves'16- 16', pipe 13 and valve 105.

In the .retractable position, the retractable parts (2,18, 25; 25, 25') are maintained in desired position by the cylinders 22 and 22' which are secured to thevehicle at 23- 3.

lt is understood that other known means may be used for rendering retractable the device of theirivention; for example, a mechanical arrangement of pinions and racks can be substituted for the above describedparticularly advantageous pneumatic system.

According to a variant of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, a rotative axis or roller 31 is mounted within each of the two side posts or side frame members 32 of the vehicle, which laterally flexible band 3 runs over these rollers 31sandis obliquelyAV directed towards the parts 28, 29, 30, etcjwithinthe hood A26 as'shownin FIG. i

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement similar to that of FIG..7, but whichcomprises a vguide shielding 34 Vahead of eachv particularly. useful.

b'ordei-thewinds'hieid 1. The

of theV side posts 32.` The guide 34 passes through*v the cowl of the vehicle down into the -hood: 26. In this hood 26.

In thevariant accordingto-FIG.'9 :tlleband 3 travels in front ofthe glass 1in substantially a vertical direction.

It is shown Vpassing'alonvg two paths, one before each, ofthe twopersons sitting on the two forward seats of the A There are twoV parallel frames `at 242" andV vkZa-Za extending along the lheight of the windshieldY AWithin the roof 27 there is vprovided a ceiling Awithin which aremounted at least' two vrotatable rollers V3S. and

35 by conventional means' (not shown inV the-drawing). ."On each of therollers 35-35 the band??v isosubjected to Vfoblique foldingwithfrespect to the directionlineof its Cleaningl and drying `means, 'such` as 29 and 30 ofv FIG. 1,- and.eventually.otherrnechanical` parts, ymay also be provided within theY ceiling.V

vehicle.

arrival onto. the Vroll.

The parts of the device of FIG;9,l situated in thei-in-L terior'of hoodi2j6, ymay b esimilar to thoseV of FIG. Yl.V Alternatively, the arrangement of rollers within` v26 can be the same as within the ceiling in roof 27, withadequate cleaning or cleaningY and drying means; as wellas mov ing means being provided therein.-

x FIGURE .10 illustrates, an application of the invention relativelyto FIGS.'1'and 4'.V In the application tovairplanes, because of the -very high velocities invo1ved,r the f creation of an adequate counter-pressure within thespace f comprised,betweenthe band 3 and thewindows 3'8 isY Here the heating means 16 (see FIG. 4) playa particularlyfimportant role in deicing the. band 3. Of course, the sleeves 16 may be replaced by any other known meansA for providing hot air, or 'other hot fluid, tofbe blown into the spacebetween bandV 3 and windows 38. i f Y FIG..11 represents a circular hat' bandwh ich constitutes the simplest form of band rusablewith the device of the invention. Thev same band Iisfshown on FIGJ12 when folded 'over fouraxes or'rllers 40,'40, 41 and 41 as it'is ing'working position; VItlca'n beseen that each of the axesis obliquewith respect to the line along which.

theband abuts to it.'Y

Axbandin the form'o f aff,be1t, as4 represented on FIG ,i 13, is also usable for thepurposes of the linvention, with the annular band ofFIG". 13 preferably being of aftruncated shape. Y i' 1 .Y

Another veryuseful form.v is that of-FIG.` 14 in which one of the faces of the band is twisted 180'. with respect travels between the sectionszZ-.Z of the device #accordthe facesmeets the winddn thesecond turn, and so on.

Hence, bothjaces ofthe band work' successively againstV I theV wind', and facing A"the windshield',

Within "the variant lthe ymoving band 3 is protected by'll alongV its path between'theroller 31 and the interior` of ,'theglo fof la vehicle,"comprising inY a combination: a frame :adaptedtobe laid on the outer face o f the window; one single run of an endless, transparent, exible band supfported and slidinglyY guided by said frame with a single thicknes'sfof said band adjacent the window; at least two rotative axes 'respectivelysituated at the opposite ends of thefframe, each vaxis being'adapted to bear thefband 'andbeingpositioned obliquely with respect to the path of `the band: abutting thereon; means for cleaning the gbanda'nd means f o'r'imparting to the banda continuous 'movement, said 'cleaning lmeans situated beyond the area of theframe.

2.V A device according to claim 1, wherein 'said' endless band is `of la at circular contguration. .3. A device according :to claim l, wherein saidendless band is Iofanannular'configuration. 4. 'Aivdeviceaccoirding to claim'l, wherein said endless, `bandis abclthavi-ng lone of its faces-twisted by an angle Y of 1805 withrespectto its other fface.

5'. A device laccording to claim l,iwhich comprises means for retracting said fr-ame together with thep-art of fthe'band supported y-by the frame to a position vertically downward, .away frfornthe window, and for bringing said frame' :and said part-:o f'thefband, .at will,'b.acl to their 6. -A device-according tocllaim 1,*.wherein`said endless f band is of .an annular truncated coniiguration.

7, A device according to claim l, wherein said endless Y- band includes a rstwand ya second surace; at least one 180 twist provided.within said endlessband; the continuousmovemcnt of' saidfband successively presenting said first and second surfaces adjacent sai-d window.

8. A 'device for improving visibility through' a window of `a vehicl e," whi;ch comprisesain combinaticm:v a trame,

adjacent the window, -said frame formed of two parallel arcuate section-s having alongitudinalgroove extending el()v jmembers' limiting Vv respective-ly the pairs of ends of the l parallel to Vthe plane inwhich layvthe sections, the open fside 'of lthe groove of each section directed towards the other section, a longitudinal back-ing extending along each of the sections behind said groove; .two transverse bottom sections; Ione single run yorian endless, transparent and next-ble band each edge of ywhichis sl'idably engaged with the groove of .one tot" said sections; at leasttwo rotative rolls mounted eachin'one .of the end regions of the frame yand adaptedtobea'r theband, the rolls being positioned Vobliquelywith respect .to the path of the band at the end ofthe frame; means for cleaning the band, situated below said transverse bottom members and means for imparting Ato thebandafcorrtinuousm-ovement; said'frlame delining 1 at'rleastjoneD pipe the end of which is 'situated close to a Efaceof'saidsections,y d- Vtbl i .t' i y to the other, aboutvlines42- and 42'. When this Vband an -c'apa @0f lghtlyadhermg to a f window,fth e space limited by said joint being connected the space limitedqby said joint reaches a predetermined "valuep While `means Vfor exerting counter-pressure on band 3, I

,as exemplied on FIG, 4, suitparticularly"the'device clescribed, itV Iis .understood that the invention also embraces the application ofsuchmeans' toknown'deyices of prior art J i distancevvertically downward from said 'suraceofsaidband which flacesvsaid longitudinal backing.

pressor yhas la-regulator which automatically proportions `9. AY device accordingto claim 8, wherein said comit'sgou-tput toitherexternal dynamic pressure of atmospheric device according to .claim 8, wherein saidframe comprises 'a' ilexible joint extending over the whole rear Ywith the atmospheric air by means of a tube. Y

I 1 1;.'1A device according to claim lO,-in which said tube is shut with avalve (which opens'w'henthe pressure within 12. 'AV device according toclairn V8, .wherein at least a part *of said pipe is ilexible and means are'provided for refr-actingsaidpframeVV down to la position situated at a Y I window approxirnatelyequa-lto the'heightdf their-ame, i 1 "13ffAdevice vfor improving visibility-through'a window Vo-ia'vehiele, comprisingajframe formed of at 'least two parallel sections, the ends of which are united by transverse members, in combination with: one single run of an endless, transparent, flexible band supported and slidingly guided by said fname, with -a single thickness of said band adjacent the window; at least two rotative axes respectively situated .at the opposite ends of the frame, each axis being adapted to bear the band and being positioned obliquely with respect to the path of the band at the end of the frame; means for cleaning the band and means for imparting to the band la continuous movement, said cleaning means situated beyond the .area limited by the parallel sections Iof the frame.

14. A device for improving visibility through a window of a vehicle, which `comprises in combination: a frame formed of two parallel arcuate sections having a longitudinal groove extending parallel to the plane in which lay the sections, the open .side of the groove of each section directed towards the other section, a longitudinal backing extending along each of the sections behind said groove; two transverse bottom members limiting respectively the pairs of ends of the sections; one single run of an endless, transparent and flexible band each edge of which is slidably engaged with the groove of one of said sections, with la single thickness of said band adjacent the window; at least two rotative rolls mounted each in one of the end regions of the .frame and adapted to bear the band, the `rolls being positioned obliquely with respect to the path lof the band at the end of the fname; means for cleaning the band, situated below `said transverse bottom members, and means for impar-ting to the band a continuous movement.

15. A `device for improving visibility through a window of a vehicle, comprising in combination: a frame adapted to be laid on the outer face of the window; one single run of an endless, transparent, exible brand supported and slidingly guided by said fr-ame; at least two rotative axes respectively situated at the opposite ends of the frame, each axis being adapted to bear the band and being positioned obliquely with respect to the path of the band at the end of the frame; means for cleaning the band and means for imparting to the band a continuous movement, said cleaning means situated beyond the area of the fname; and means ior exerting a pressure, by means of a fluid, upon the rear `face of the band.

16. A device for improving visibility through a window of la vehicle, comprising la frame formed of at least two parallel sections, the ends of which :are united by transverse members, in combination with: one single run of an endless, transparent, exible band supported and slidingly guided by said frame; at least two rotative axes respectively situated at the opposite ends of the frame, each axis being adapted to bear the band and being positioned obliquely with respect to the path of the band at the end of the frame; means for cleaning the band and means for imparting to the band a continuous movement, said cleaning means situated beyond the area limited by the parallel sections of the frame, and means for blowing a fluid onto the rear tace of the band.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,062,747 Gelstharp Dec. 1, 1936 2,594,867 Carmona Apr. 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,029,995 France Mar. 11, 1953 1,258,079 France Feb. 27, 1961 

8. A DEVICE FOR IMPROVING VISIBILITY THROUGH A WINDOW OF A VEHICLE, WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION: A FRAME, ADJACENT THE WINDOW, SAID FRAME FORMED OF TWO PARALLEL ARCUATE SECTIONS HAVING A LONGITUDINAL GROOOVE EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE PLANE IN WHICH LAY THE SECTIONS, THE OPEN SIDE OF THE GROOVE OF EACH SECTION DIRECTED TOWARDS THE OTHER SECTION, A LONGITUDINAL BACKING EXTENDING ALONG EACH OF THE SECTIONS BEHIND SAID GROOVE; TWO TRANSVERSE BOTTOM MEMBERS LIMITING RESPEFTIVELY THE PAIRS OF ENDS OF THE SECTIONS; ONE SINGLE RUN OF AN ENDLESS, TRANSPARENT AND FLEXIBLE BAND EACH EDGE OF WHICH IS SLIDABLY ENGAGED WITH THE GROOVE OF ONE OF SAID SECTIONS; AT LEAST TWO ROTATIVE ROLLS MOUNTED EACH IN ONE OF THE END REGIONS OF THE FRAME AND ADAPTED TO BEAR THE BAND, THE ROLLS BEING POSITIONED OBLIQUELY WITH RESPECT TO THE PATH OF THE BAND AT THE END OF THE FRAME; MEANS FOR CLEANING THE BAND, SITUATED BELOW SAID TRANSVERSE BOTTOM MEMBERS AND MEANS FOR IMPARTING TO THE BAND A CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT; SAID FRAME DEFINING 